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Bajrami D, Hossain SI, Barbarossa A, Sportelli MC, Picca RA, Gentile L, Mastrolonardo F, Rosato A, Carocci A, Colabufo NA, Mizaikoff B, Cioffi N. A scalable route to quaternary ammonium-functionalized AgCl colloidal antimicrobials inhibiting food pathogenic bacteria and biofilms. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25260. [PMID: 38327442 PMCID: PMC10847915 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
This study explores how a simple argentometric titration-like approach could be evolved into a versatile, scalable, fast, and robust strategy for the production of AgCl/quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) colloidal nanoantimicrobials (NAMs). These systems, which are green, stable, cost-effective, and reproducible are found to be effective against a wide range of food pathogenic bacteria and biofilms. The option of a large-scale production for such colloidal suspensions was explored via the use of a peristaltic pump. The utilization of various types of biosafe QACs and a wide range of solvents including aqueous and organic ones renders this system green and versatile. Nanocolloids (NCs) were characterized using UV-Vis, X-ray photoelectron and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. Their morphology and crystalline nature were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area diffraction pattern (SAED). Nanoparticle (NP) size distribution and hydrodynamic radius were measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS), while the ζ-potential was found to be highly positive, thus indicating significant colloidal stability and antimicrobial activity. In fact, the higher the NP surface charge, the stronger was their bioactivity. Furthermore, the antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of the as-prepared NCs were tested against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) and Listeria monocytogenes 46, and Gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). The results clearly indicate that AgCl/QACs provide pronounced antibiofilm activity with long-term bacteriostatic effects against foodborne pathogenic bacteria rendering them an ideal choice for active food packaging systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diellza Bajrami
- Institute of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Ulm University, Albert Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Syed Imdadul Hossain
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
- CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science) C/o Dept. Chemistry, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Alexia Barbarossa
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Sportelli
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
- CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science) C/o Dept. Chemistry, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Rosaria Anna Picca
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
- CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science) C/o Dept. Chemistry, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Luigi Gentile
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
- CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science) C/o Dept. Chemistry, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Rosato
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Antonio Colabufo
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126, Bari, Italy
- Biofordrug Srl, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Dante 95, 70019, Triggiano, Bari, Italy
| | - Boris Mizaikoff
- Institute of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Ulm University, Albert Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- Hahn-Schickard, Sedanstrasse 14, 89077, Ulm, Germany
| | - Nicola Cioffi
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
- CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science) C/o Dept. Chemistry, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
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Mallamaci R, Barbarossa A, Carocci A, Meleleo D. Evaluation of the Potential Protective Effect of Ellagic Acid against Heavy Metal (Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead) Toxicity in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells. Foods 2024; 13:419. [PMID: 38338554 PMCID: PMC10855963 DOI: 10.3390/foods13030419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Ellagic acid (EA), a polyphenolic constituent of plant origin, has been thoroughly investigated for its hypothesised pharmacological properties among which antioxidant and neuroprotective activities are included. The present study was designed to explore whether EA could attenuate heavy metal (cadmium, mercury, and lead)-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells, which were utilized as a model system for brain cells. MTT and LDH assays were performed to examine the viability of the SH-SY5Y cells after exposure to Cd, Hg, and Pb (either individually or in combination with EA) as well as the effects of necrotic cell death, respectively. Furthermore, 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), a cell-based assay, was performed to determine whether EA could protect SH-SY5Y from heavy metal-induced oxidative stress. Results allowed us to assess the capability of EA to enhance the number of viable SH-SY5Y cells after exposure to heavy metal toxicity. Pre-treatment with EA showed a considerable, concentration-dependent, cytoprotective effect, particularly against Cd2+-induced toxicity. This effect was confirmed through the reduction of LDH release after the simultaneous cell treatment with Cd2+ and EA compared with Cd2+-treated cells. Furthermore, a significant, concentration-dependent decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, induced by H2O2 or heavy metals, was observed in the same model. Overall, the obtained results provide further insight into the protective role of EA against heavy metal-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative stress, thus indicating the potential beneficial effects of the consumption of EA-rich foods. However, to confirm its effects, well-designed human randomized controlled trials are needed to fill the existing gap between experimental and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Mallamaci
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Alexia Barbarossa
- Department of Pharmacy–Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy–Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Daniela Meleleo
- Department of Science of Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
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Barbarossa A, Rosato A, Carrieri A, Tardugno R, Corbo F, Clodoveo ML, Fracchiolla G, Carocci A. Antifungal Biofilm Inhibitory Effects of Combinations of Diclofenac and Essential Oils. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1673. [PMID: 38136707 PMCID: PMC10740460 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12121673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic fungal infections have risen in recent decades and most of them are caused by Candida species, which are becoming increasingly resistant to conventional antifungal drugs. Biofilm production has been considered the most common growth form of Candida cells and is associated with a high level of antifungal resistance. At present, international research reports on the antifungal activity of non-traditional antimicrobial drugs and their potential use against life-threatening resistant fungal infections. Indeed, drug repurposing has led to the consideration of well-known compounds as a last-line therapy. The goal of this work is to evaluate the potential synergistic antifungal biofilm activity of new combinations between diclofenac sodium salt (DSS), a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), with the essential oils (EOs) of Mentha piperita, Pelargonium graveolens, and Melaleuca alternifolia, whose antifungal activity has been well documented over the years. The in vitro antifungal activity of DSS and EOs was determined on different Candida strains. Susceptibility testing and the synergism of DSS and EOs versus biofilm cells was performed by using the broth microdilution assay and checkerboard methods. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (sMIC50) of DSS alone ranged from 1.25 to 2.05 mg/mL for all the strains considered. These values significantly decreased when the drug was used in combination with the EOs. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was lower than 0.5 for almost all the associations, thus indicating a significant synergism, particularly for the DSS-Pelargonium graveolens combination towards the Candida strains examined. These preliminary results show that the combination of the EOs with DSS improves the antifungal activity on all the tested Candida strains, significantly lowering the concentrations of the components used and thus allowing any toxic effects to be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Barbarossa
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (A.R.); (A.C.); (R.T.); (F.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (A.R.); (A.C.); (R.T.); (F.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Antonio Carrieri
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (A.R.); (A.C.); (R.T.); (F.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Roberta Tardugno
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (A.R.); (A.C.); (R.T.); (F.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Filomena Corbo
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (A.R.); (A.C.); (R.T.); (F.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Maria Lisa Clodoveo
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Fracchiolla
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (A.R.); (A.C.); (R.T.); (F.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (A.R.); (A.C.); (R.T.); (F.C.); (A.C.)
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Barbarossa A, Ceramella J, Carocci A, Iacopetta D, Rosato A, Limongelli F, Carrieri A, Bonofiglio D, Sinicropi MS. Benzothiazole-Phthalimide Hybrids as Anti-Breast Cancer and Antimicrobial Agents. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1651. [PMID: 38136685 PMCID: PMC10740580 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12121651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The benzothiazole nucleus is a major heterocyclic scaffold whose therapeutic potential has been thoroughly explored due to its structural simplicity and ease of synthesis. In fact, several benzothiazole derivatives have been synthesized over time, demonstrating numerous pharmacological properties such as anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Herein, we propose a new series of benzothiazole-phthalimide hybrids obtained by linking the phthalimide moiety to differently substituted benzothiazole nuclei through the N atom. These compounds have been screened for their anticancer properties against two human breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, we delved into the mechanism of action of the most active hybrid, compound 3h, by assessing its capability to damage the nuclear DNA, trigger the apoptotic process in the high metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells, and prevent cellular migration. Moreover, in view of the documented antimicrobial activities of the two scaffolds involved, we explored the antibacterial and antifungal effects of the studied compounds by means of the broth microdilution method. Among the studied compounds, 3h showed the highest antimicrobial activity, both against gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains belonging to the ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) and against fungal strains of the Candida species with MICs values ranging from 16 to 32 µg/mL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Barbarossa
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (A.R.); (F.L.); (A.C.)
| | - Jessica Ceramella
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (J.C.); (D.B.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (A.R.); (F.L.); (A.C.)
| | - Domenico Iacopetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (J.C.); (D.B.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (A.R.); (F.L.); (A.C.)
| | - Francesco Limongelli
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (A.R.); (F.L.); (A.C.)
| | - Antonio Carrieri
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (A.R.); (F.L.); (A.C.)
| | - Daniela Bonofiglio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (J.C.); (D.B.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (J.C.); (D.B.); (M.S.S.)
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Czarnota-Łydka K, Sudoł-Tałaj S, Kucwaj-Brysz K, Kurczab R, Satała G, de Candia M, Samarelli F, Altomare CD, Carocci A, Barbarossa A, Żesławska E, Głuch-Lutwin M, Mordyl B, Kubacka M, Wilczyńska-Zawal N, Jastrzębska-Więsek M, Partyka A, Khan N, Więcek M, Nitek W, Honkisz-Orzechowska E, Latacz G, Wesołowska A, Carrieri A, Handzlik J. Synthesis, computational and experimental pharmacological studies for (thio)ether-triazine 5-HT 6R ligands with noticeable action on AChE/BChE and chalcogen-dependent intrinsic activity in search for new class of drugs against Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 259:115695. [PMID: 37567058 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is becoming a growing problem increasing at a tremendous rate. Serotonin 5-HT6 receptors appear to be a particularly attractive target from a therapeutic perspective, due to their involvement not only in cognitive processes, but also in depression and psychosis. In this work, we present the synthesis and broad biological characterization of a new series of 18 compounds with a unique 1,3,5-triazine backbone, as potent 5-HT6 receptor ligands. The main aim of this research is to compare the biological activity of the newly synthesized sulfur derivatives with their oxygen analogues and their N-demethylated O- and S-metabolites obtained for the first time. Most of the new triazines displayed high affinity (Ki < 200 nM) and selectivity towards 5-HT6R, with respect to 5-HT2AR, 5-HT7R, and D2R, in the radioligand binding assays. For selected, active compounds crystallographic studies, functional bioassays, and ADME-Tox profile in vitro were performed. The exciting novelty is that the sulfur derivatives exhibit an agonistic mode of action contrary to all other compounds obtained to date in this chemical class herein and previously reported. Advanced computational studies indicated that this intriguing functional shift might be caused by presence of chalcogen bonds formed only by the sulfur atom. In addition, the N-demethylated derivatives have emerged highly potent antioxidants and, moreover, show a significant improvement in metabolic stability compared to the parent structures. The cholinesterase study present micromolar inhibitory AChE and BChE activity for both 5-HT6 agonist 19 and potent antagonist 5. Finally, the behavioral experiments of compound 19 demonstrated its antidepressant-like properties and slight ability to improve cognitive deficits, without inducing memory impairments by itself. Described pharmacological properties of both compounds (5 and 19) allow to give a design clue for the development of multitarget compounds with 5-HT6 (both agonist and antagonist)/AChE and/or BChE mechanism in the group of 1,3,5-triazine derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Czarnota-Łydka
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Medical and Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, św. Łazarza 15, 31-530, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Sylwia Sudoł-Tałaj
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Medical and Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, św. Łazarza 15, 31-530, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Kucwaj-Brysz
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Rafał Kurczab
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Smętna 12, PL 31-343, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Grzegorz Satała
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Smętna 12, PL 31-343, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Modesto de Candia
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.
| | - Francesco Samarelli
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.
| | - Cosimo Damiano Altomare
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.
| | - Alexia Barbarossa
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.
| | - Ewa Żesławska
- Pedagogical University of Krakow, Institute of Biology and Earth Sciences, Podchorążych 2, PL 30-084, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Monika Głuch-Lutwin
- Department of Pharmacobiology, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Barbara Mordyl
- Department of Pharmacobiology, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Monika Kubacka
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Natalia Wilczyńska-Zawal
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Cracow, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Jastrzębska-Więsek
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Cracow, Poland.
| | - Anna Partyka
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Cracow, Poland.
| | - Nadia Khan
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Medical and Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, św. Łazarza 15, 31-530, Krakow, Poland; Department of Pathophysiology, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Czysta 18, PL 30-688, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Więcek
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Wojciech Nitek
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, PL 30-387, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Ewelina Honkisz-Orzechowska
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Gniewomir Latacz
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Anna Wesołowska
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Cracow, Poland.
| | - Antonio Carrieri
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.
| | - Jadwiga Handzlik
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Krakow, Poland.
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Genchi G, Lauria G, Catalano A, Carocci A, Sinicropi MS. Prevalence of Cobalt in the Environment and Its Role in Biological Processes. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12:1335. [PMID: 37887045 PMCID: PMC10604320 DOI: 10.3390/biology12101335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Cobalt (Co) is an essential trace element for humans and other animals, but high doses can be harmful to human health. It is present in some foods such as green vegetables, various spices, meat, milk products, seafood, and eggs, and in drinking water. Co is necessary for the metabolism of human beings and animals due to its key role in the formation of vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, the biological reservoir of Co. In high concentrations, Co may cause some health issues such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, bleeding, low blood pressure, heart diseases, thyroid damage, hair loss, bone defects, and the inhibition of some enzyme activities. Conversely, Co deficiency can lead to anorexia, chronic swelling, and detrimental anemia. Co nanoparticles have different and various biomedical applications thanks to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties. In addition, Co and cobalt oxide nanoparticles can be used in lithium-ion batteries, as a catalyst, a carrier for targeted drug delivery, a gas sensor, an electronic thin film, and in energy storage. Accumulation of Co in agriculture and humans, due to natural and anthropogenic factors, represents a global problem affecting water quality and human and animal health. Besides the common chelating agents used for Co intoxication, phytoremediation is an interesting environmental technology for cleaning up soil contaminated with Co. The occurrence of Co in the environment is discussed and its involvement in biological processes is underlined. Toxicological aspects related to Co are also examined in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Genchi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (G.G.); (G.L.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Graziantonio Lauria
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (G.G.); (G.L.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari “A. Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari “A. Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (G.G.); (G.L.); (M.S.S.)
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7
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Barbarossa A, Carrieri A, Carocci A. Melatonin and related compounds as antioxidants. Mini Rev Med Chem 2023:MRMC-EPUB-132711. [PMID: 37366352 DOI: 10.2174/1389557523666230627140816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress has been reported to be involved in the onset and development of several diseases, including neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disorders, some types of cancer, and diabetes. Therefore, finding strategies to detoxify free radicals is an active area of research. One of these strategies is the use of natural or synthetic antioxidants. In this context, melatonin (MLT) has been proven to possess most of the required characteristics of an efficient antioxidant. In addition, its protection against oxidative stress continues after being metabolized, since its metabolites also exhibit antioxidant capacity. Based on the appealing properties of MLT and its metabolites, various synthetic analogues have been developed to obtain compounds with higher activity and lower side effects. This review addresses recent studies with MLT and related compounds as potential antioxidants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Barbarossa
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Carrieri
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70126 Bari, Italyri Italy
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Esposito V, Carocci A, Luciani F, Battistone A, Gaggioli A, Esposito F. Validation and application of a SEC-HPLC method for the determination of total protein in therapeutic immunoglobulins as an alternative to the European Pharmacopoeia methods. Pharmeur Bio Sci Notes 2023; 2023:69-81. [PMID: 37961820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Several analytical procedures are described in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) to determine total protein content. However, the method for the determination of protein content in therapeutic immunoglobulins prescribed in the Ph. Eur. monographs is the Kjeldahl method. The Kjeldahl method is time-consuming and requires the use of large amounts of hazardous reagents, which also results in the production of a large amount of hazardous chemical waste. The purpose of this work was to validate an alternative chromatographic method that requires no hazardous reagents and saves time, using the same instrumental conditions specified in the Ph. Eur. for the human immunoglobulin size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography (SEC-HPLC) molecular-size distribution assay. The chromatographic separation was achieved with a TSKgel G3000SW (600 × 7.5 mm, 10 µm) column, using an isocratic elution, with detection at 280 nm wavelength. The mobile phase consisted of an aqueous solution of 0.03 M disodium hydrogen phosphate dehydrate, 0.01 M sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate, 0.2 M sodium chloride and 1 mM sodium azide. The protein content of the test samples was determined referring to a standard with a known protein concentration (i.e. Human immunoglobulin (molecular size) Biological Reference Preparation). The method was validated evaluating the characteristics precision and trueness according to the ICH Q2 guideline, and the goodness of linear fit for the signal response was assessed (given for information only). In addition, the equivalence of methods was evaluated with two one-sided t-tests (TOST) analysis with the Kjeldahl method mentioned in Ph. Eur. monographs on therapeutic immunoglobulins, and with Bland-Altman analysis of SEC-HPLC and manufacturers' data (Kjeldahl and biuret methods). The uncertainty of measurement was also calculated in order to evaluate the accuracy and quality of the results, thus facilitating a reliable compliance/non-compliance decision. Based on the outcome, the method is proposed as a suitable and convenient alternative for the determination of protein content in human immunoglobulins.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Esposito
- National Centre for the Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - A Carocci
- National Centre for the Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - F Luciani
- National Centre for the Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - A Battistone
- National Centre for the Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - A Gaggioli
- National Centre for the Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - F Esposito
- National Centre for the Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena, 00161, Rome, Italy
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9
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Science
University of Bari Aldo Moro
Bari
Italy
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10
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Carocci A, Barbarossa A, Leuci R, Carrieri A, Brunetti L, Laghezza A, Catto M, Limongelli F, Chaves S, Tortorella P, Altomare CD, Santos MA, Loiodice F, Piemontese L. Novel Phenothiazine/Donepezil-like Hybrids Endowed with Antioxidant Activity for a Multi-Target Approach to the Therapy of Alzheimer’s Disease. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11091631. [PMID: 36139705 PMCID: PMC9495854 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11091631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex multi-factorial neurodegenerative disorder for which only few drugs (including donepezil, DPZ) are available as symptomatic treatments; thus, researchers are focusing on the development of innovative multi-target directed ligands (MTDLs), which could also alter the course of the disease. Among other pathological factors, oxidative stress has emerged as an important factor in AD that could affect several pathways involved in the onset and progression of the pathology. Herein, we propose a new series of hybrid molecules obtained by linking a phenothiazine moiety, known for its antioxidant properties, with N-benzylpiperidine or N-benzylpiperazine fragments, mimicking the core substructure of DPZ. The investigation of the resulting hybrids showed, in addition to their antioxidant properties, their activity against some AD-related targets, such as the inhibition of cholinesterases (both AChE and BChE) and in vitro Aβ1-40 aggregation, as well as the inhibition of the innovative target fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Furthermore, the drug-likeness properties of these compounds were assessed using cheminformatic tools. Compounds 11d and 12d showed the most interesting multi-target profiles, with all the assayed activities in the low micromolar range. In silico docking calculations supported the obtained results. Compound 13, on the other hand, while inactive in the DPPH assay, showed the best results in the in vitro antioxidant cell assays conducted on both HepG2 and SHSY-5Y cell lines. These results, paired with the low or absent cytotoxicity of these compounds at tested concentrations, allow us to aim our future research at the study of novel and effective drugs and pro-drugs with similar structural characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (L.P.)
| | - Alexia Barbarossa
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Rosalba Leuci
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Carrieri
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Leonardo Brunetti
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Laghezza
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Catto
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Limongelli
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Sílvia Chaves
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paolo Tortorella
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Cosimo Damiano Altomare
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Amélia Santos
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Fulvio Loiodice
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Luca Piemontese
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (L.P.)
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11
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Milani G, Cavalluzzi MM, Altamura C, Santoro A, Perrone M, Muraglia M, Colabufo NA, Corbo F, Casalino E, Franchini C, Pisano I, Desaphy JF, Carrieri A, Carocci A, Lentini G. Corrigendum: Bioisosteric Modification of To042: Synthesis and Evaluation of Promising Use-Dependent Inhibitors of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200131. [PMID: 35312164 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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12
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug science University of Bari Aldo Moro Bari, Italy
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13
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug science,
University of Bari Aldo Moro,
Bari,
Italy
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14
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Milani G, Cavalluzzi MM, Altamura C, Santoro A, Perrone M, Muraglia M, Colabufo NA, Corbo F, Casalino E, Franchini C, Pisano I, Desaphy J, Carrieri A, Carocci A, Lentini G. Bioisosteric Modification of To042: Synthesis and Evaluation of Promising Use-Dependent Inhibitors of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:3588-3599. [PMID: 34519427 PMCID: PMC9293070 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Three analogues of To042, a tocainide-related lead compound recently reported for the treatment of myotonia, were synthesized and evaluated in vitro as skeletal muscle sodium channel blockers possibly endowed with enhanced use-dependent behavior. Patch-clamp experiments on hNav1.4 expressed in HEK293 cells showed that N-[(naphthalen-1-yl)methyl]-4-[(2,6-dimethyl)phenoxy]butan-2-amine, the aryloxyalkyl bioisostere of To042, exerted a higher use-dependent block than To042 thus being able to preferentially block the channels in over-excited membranes while preserving healthy tissue function. It also showed the lowest active transport across BBB according to the results of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) interacting activity evaluation and the highest cytoprotective effect on HeLa cells. Quantum mechanical calculations and dockings gave insights on the most probable conformation of the aryloxyalkyl bioisostere of To042 in solution and the target residues involved in the binding, respectively. Both approaches indicated the conformations that might be adopted in both the unbound and bound state of the ligand. Overall, N-[(naphthalen-1-yl)methyl]-4-[(2,6-dimethyl)phenoxy]butan-2-amine exhibits an interesting toxico-pharmacological profile and deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gualtiero Milani
- Department of Pharmacy – Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroVia E. Orabona 470125BariItaly
| | - Maria Maddalena Cavalluzzi
- Department of Pharmacy – Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroVia E. Orabona 470125BariItaly
| | - Concetta Altamura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologySchool of MedicineUniversity of Bari Aldo Moro PoliclinicoPiazza Giulio Cesare70124BariItaly
| | - Antonella Santoro
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and BiopharmaceuticsUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroVia Orabona 470125BariItaly
| | - Mariagrazia Perrone
- Department of Pharmacy – Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroVia E. Orabona 470125BariItaly
| | - Marilena Muraglia
- Department of Pharmacy – Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroVia E. Orabona 470125BariItaly
| | - Nicola Antonio Colabufo
- Department of Pharmacy – Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroVia E. Orabona 470125BariItaly
| | - Filomena Corbo
- Department of Pharmacy – Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroVia E. Orabona 470125BariItaly
| | - Elisabetta Casalino
- Department of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroVia E. Orabona 470125BariItaly
| | - Carlo Franchini
- Department of Pharmacy – Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroVia E. Orabona 470125BariItaly
| | - Isabella Pisano
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and BiopharmaceuticsUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroVia Orabona 470125BariItaly
| | - Jean‐François Desaphy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologySchool of MedicineUniversity of Bari Aldo Moro PoliclinicoPiazza Giulio Cesare70124BariItaly
| | - Antonio Carrieri
- Department of Pharmacy – Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroVia E. Orabona 470125BariItaly
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy – Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroVia E. Orabona 470125BariItaly
| | - Giovanni Lentini
- Department of Pharmacy – Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Bari Aldo MoroVia E. Orabona 470125BariItaly
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15
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Barbarossa A, Iacopetta D, Sinicropi MS, Franchini C, Carocci A. Recent Advances in the Development of Thalidomide-Related Compounds as Anticancer Drugs. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:19-40. [PMID: 34165402 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210623143526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Thalidomide is an old well-known drug that was first used as morning sickness relief in pregnant women before being withdrawn from the market due to its severe side effects on normal fetal development, However, over the last few decades, the interest in this old drug has been renewed because of its efficacy in several important disorders for instance, multiple myeloma, breast cancer, and HIV-related diseases due to its antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory properties. Unfortunately, even in these cases, many aftereffects as deep vein thrombosis, peripheral neuropathy, constipation, somnolence, pyrexia, pain, and teratogenicity have been reported, showing the requirement of careful and monitored use. For this reason, research efforts are geared toward the synthesis and optimization of new thalidomide analogues lacking in toxic effects to erase these limits and improve the pharmacological profile. AIMS This review aims to examine the state-of-the-art concerning the current studies on thalidomide and its analogues towards cancer diseases (with few hints regarding the antimicrobial activity), focusing the attention on the possible mechanisms of action involved and the lack of toxicity. CONCLUSION In the light of the collected data, thalidomide analogues and their ongoing optimization could lead, in the future, to the realization of a promising therapeutic alternative for cancer-fighting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Barbarossa
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Iacopetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health, and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health, and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Carlo Franchini
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
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16
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Catalano A, Franchini C, Carocci A. Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blockers: Synthesis of Mexiletine Analogues and Homologues. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:1535-1548. [PMID: 32364065 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200504080530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Mexiletine is an antiarrhythmic drug belonging to IB class, acting as sodium channel blocker. Besides its well-known activity on arrhythmias, its usefulness in the treatment of myotonia, myotonic dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is now widely recognized. Nevertheless, it has been retired from the market in several countries because of its undesired effects. Thus, several papers were reported in the last years about analogues and homologues of mexiletine being endowed with a wider therapeutic ratio and a more selectivity of action. Some of them showed sodium channel blocking activity higher than the parent compound. It is noteworthy that mexiletine is used in therapy as a racemate even though a difference in the activities of the two enantiomers was widely demonstrated, with (-)-(R)-enantiomer being more active: this finding led several research groups to study mexiletine and its analogues and homologues in their optically active forms. This review summarizes the different synthetic routes used to obtain these compounds. They could represent an interesting starting point to new mexiletine-like compounds without common side effects related to the use of mexiletine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Franchini
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
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17
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Iacopetta D, Catalano A, Ceramella J, Barbarossa A, Carocci A, Fazio A, La Torre C, Caruso A, Ponassi M, Rosano C, Franchini C, Sinicropi MS. Synthesis, anticancer and antioxidant properties of new indole and pyranoindole derivatives. Bioorg Chem 2020; 105:104440. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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18
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Carocci A, Roselli M, Budriesi R, Micucci M, Desaphy JF, Altamura C, Cavalluzzi MM, Toma M, Passeri GI, Milani G, Lovece A, Catalano A, Bruno C, De Palma A, Corbo F, Franchini C, Habtemariam S, Lentini G. Synthesis and Evaluation of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blocking Pyrroline Derivatives Endowed with Both Antiarrhythmic and Antioxidant Activities. ChemMedChem 2020; 16:578-588. [PMID: 33015979 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Under the hypothesis that cardioprotective agents might benefit from synergism between antiarrhythmic activity and antioxidant properties, a small series of mexiletine analogues were coupled with the 2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrroline moiety, known for its antioxidant effect, in order to obtain dual-acting drugs potentially useful in the protection of the heart against post-ischemic reperfusion injury. The pyrroline derivatives reported herein were found to be more potent as antiarrhythmic agents than mexiletine and displayed antioxidant activity. The most interesting tetramethylpyrroline congener, a tert-butyl-substituted analogue, was at least 100 times more active as an antiarrhythmic than mexiletine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona n. 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Roselli
- Department of Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona n. 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Budriesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Matteo Micucci
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Jean-François Desaphy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, piazza Giulio Cesare, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Concetta Altamura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, piazza Giulio Cesare, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Maddalena Cavalluzzi
- Department of Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona n. 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Maddalena Toma
- Department of Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona n. 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Ilaria Passeri
- Department of Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona n. 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Gualtiero Milani
- Department of Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona n. 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Angelo Lovece
- Department of Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona n. 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona n. 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Claudio Bruno
- Department of Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona n. 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Annalisa De Palma
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Filomena Corbo
- Department of Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona n. 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Franchini
- Department of Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona n. 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Solomon Habtemariam
- Pharmacognosy Research Laboratories & Herbal Analysis services UK, University of Greenwich, Chatham-Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Giovanni Lentini
- Department of Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via E. Orabona n. 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
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Rosato A, Sblano S, Salvagno L, Carocci A, Clodoveo ML, Corbo F, Fracchiolla G. Anti-Biofilm Inhibitory Synergistic Effects of Combinations of Essential Oils and Antibiotics. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9100637. [PMID: 32987638 PMCID: PMC7598638 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9100637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the increase of bacteria antibiotic- resistance has been a severe problem for public health. A useful solution could be to join some phytochemicals naturally present in essential oils (EOs) to the existing antibiotics, with the aim to increase their efficacy in therapies. According to in vitro studies, EOs and their components could show such effects. Among them, we studied the activity of Cinnammonum zeylanicum, Mentha piperita, Origanum vulgare, and Thymus vulgaris EOs on bacterial biofilm and their synergism when used in association with some common antibiotics such as norfloxacin, oxacillin, and gentamicin. The chemical composition of EOs was determined using gas chromatography (GC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) techniques. The EOs drug efficacy was evaluated on four different strains of Gram-positive bacteria forming biofilms. The synergistic effects were tested through the chequerboard microdilution method. The association EOs-antibiotics showed a strong destruction of the biofilm growth of the four bacterial species considered. The interaction of norfloxacin with EOs was the most effective in all the tested combinations against the strains object of this study. These preliminary results suggest the formulation of a new generation of antimicrobial agents based on a combination of antimicrobial compounds with different origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Rosato
- Department of Pharmacy—Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, via E. Orabona, 4-70125 Bari, Italy; (S.S.); (L.S.); (A.C.); (F.C.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-080-5442728; Fax: 39-080-5442784
| | - Sabina Sblano
- Department of Pharmacy—Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, via E. Orabona, 4-70125 Bari, Italy; (S.S.); (L.S.); (A.C.); (F.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Lara Salvagno
- Department of Pharmacy—Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, via E. Orabona, 4-70125 Bari, Italy; (S.S.); (L.S.); (A.C.); (F.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy—Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, via E. Orabona, 4-70125 Bari, Italy; (S.S.); (L.S.); (A.C.); (F.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Maria Lisa Clodoveo
- School of Medicine: Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, piazza G. Cesare, 11-70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Filomena Corbo
- Department of Pharmacy—Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, via E. Orabona, 4-70125 Bari, Italy; (S.S.); (L.S.); (A.C.); (F.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Giuseppe Fracchiolla
- Department of Pharmacy—Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, via E. Orabona, 4-70125 Bari, Italy; (S.S.); (L.S.); (A.C.); (F.C.); (G.F.)
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20
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Faienza MF, Corbo F, Carocci A, Catalano A, Clodoveo ML, Grano M, Wang DQH, D’Amato G, Muraglia M, Franchini C, Brunetti G, Portincasa P. Novel insights in health-promoting properties of sweet cherries. J Funct Foods 2020; 69:103945. [PMID: 34422115 PMCID: PMC8376227 DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2020.103945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is one of the most popular and appreciated temperate fruit not only for its sensory and nutritional properties, but also for its content in bioactive compounds. Consumption of sweet cherries brings beneficial effects on to health, which include prevention and modulatory effects in several chronic diseases such as (diabetes mellitus, cancer, cardiovascular and other inflammatory diseases). The presence of natural polyphenolic compounds with high antioxidant potential might drive and partly explain such beneficial effects, but more translational and clinical studies should address this topic. Here, we review the health-promoting properties of cherries and their bioactive compounds against human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Felicia Faienza
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Paediatric Section, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Filomena Corbo
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Lisa Clodoveo
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Grano
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - David Q.-H. Wang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | | | - Marilena Muraglia
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Franchini
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Giacomina Brunetti
- Department of Basic and Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, section of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Paediatric Section, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
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Genchi G, Sinicropi MS, Lauria G, Carocci A, Catalano A. The Effects of Cadmium Toxicity. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E3782. [PMID: 32466586 PMCID: PMC7312803 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17113782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 754] [Impact Index Per Article: 188.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic non-essential transition metal that poses a health risk for both humans and animals. It is naturally occurring in the environment as a pollutant that is derived from agricultural and industrial sources. Exposure to cadmium primarily occurs through the ingestion of contaminated food and water and, to a significant extent, through inhalation and cigarette smoking. Cadmium accumulates in plants and animals with a long half-life of about 25-30 years. Epidemiological data suggest that occupational and environmental cadmium exposure may be related to various types of cancer, including breast, lung, prostate, nasopharynx, pancreas, and kidney cancers. It has been also demonstrated that environmental cadmium may be a risk factor for osteoporosis. The liver and kidneys are extremely sensitive to cadmium's toxic effects. This may be due to the ability of these tissues to synthesize metallothioneins (MT), which are Cd-inducible proteins that protect the cell by tightly binding the toxic cadmium ions. The oxidative stress induced by this xenobiotic may be one of the mechanisms responsible for several liver and kidney diseases. Mitochondria damage is highly plausible given that these organelles play a crucial role in the formation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and are known to be among the key intracellular targets for cadmium. When mitochondria become dysfunctional after exposure to Cd, they produce less energy (ATP) and more ROS. Recent studies show that cadmium induces various epigenetic changes in mammalian cells, both in vivo and in vitro, causing pathogenic risks and the development of various types of cancers. The epigenetics present themselves as chemical modifications of DNA and histones that alter the chromatin without changing the sequence of the DNA nucleotide. DNA methyltransferase, histone acetyltransferase, histone deacetylase and histone methyltransferase, and micro RNA are involved in the epigenetic changes. Recently, investigations of the capability of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), Indian mustard (Brassica juncea), and river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) to remove cadmium from polluted soil and water have been carried out. Moreover, nanoparticles of TiO2 and Al2O3 have been used to efficiently remove cadmium from wastewater and soil. Finally, microbial fermentation has been studied as a promising method for removing cadmium from food. This review provides an update on the effects of Cd exposure on human health, focusing on the cellular and molecular alterations involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Genchi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy; (G.G.); (G.L.)
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy; (G.G.); (G.L.)
| | - Graziantonio Lauria
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy; (G.G.); (G.L.)
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari “A. Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari “A. Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy;
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22
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Corbo F, Brunetti G, Crupi P, Bortolotti S, Storlino G, Piacente L, Carocci A, Catalano A, Milani G, Colaianni G, Colucci S, Grano M, Franchini C, Clodoveo ML, D'Amato G, Faienza MF. Effects of Sweet Cherry Polyphenols on Enhanced Osteoclastogenesis Associated With Childhood Obesity. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1001. [PMID: 31130968 PMCID: PMC6509551 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood obesity is associated with the development of severe comorbidities, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and increased risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis and fractures. The status of low-grade inflammation associated to obesity can be reversed through an enhanced physical activity and by consumption of food enrich of anti-inflammatory compounds, such as omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols. The aim of this study was to deepen the mechanisms of bone impairment in obese children and adolescents through the evaluation of the osteoclastogenic potential of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and the assessment of the serum levels of RANKL and osteoprotegerin (OPG). Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate the in vitro effects of polyphenol cherry extracts on osteoclastogenesis, as possible dietary treatment to improve bone health in obese subjects. High RANKL levels were measured in obese with respect to controls (115.48 ± 35.20 pg/ml vs. 87.18 ± 17.82 pg/ml; p < 0.01), while OPG levels were significantly reduced in obese than controls (378.02 ± 61.15 pg/ml vs. 436.75 ± 95.53 pg/ml, respectively, p < 0.01). Lower Ad-SoS- and BTT Z-scores were measured in obese compared to controls (p < 0.05). A significant elevated number of multinucleated TRAP+ osteoclasts (OCs) were observed in the un-stimulated cultures of obese subjects compared to the controls. Interestingly, obese subjects displayed a higher percentage of CD14+/CD16+ than controls. Furthermore, in the mRNA extracts of obese subjects we detected a 2.5- and 2-fold increase of TNFα and RANKL transcripts compared to controls, respectively. Each extract of sweet cherries determined a dose-dependent reduction in the formation of multinucleated TRAP+ OCs. Consistently, 24 h treatment of obese PBMCs with sweet cherry extracts from the three cultivars resulted in a significant reduction of the expression of TNFα. In conclusion, the bone impairment in obese children and adolescents is sustained by a spontaneous osteoclastogenesis that can be inhibited in vitro by the polyphenol content of sweet cherries. Thus, our study opens future perspectives for the use of sweet cherry extracts, appropriately formulated as nutraceutical food, as preventive in healthy children and therapeutic in obese ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filomena Corbo
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Giacomina Brunetti
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Basic and Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Pasquale Crupi
- CREA-VE, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Turi, Italy
| | - Sara Bortolotti
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Storlino
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Laura Piacente
- Paediatric Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Gualtiero Milani
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Graziana Colaianni
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Silvia Colucci
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Basic and Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Grano
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Franchini
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Lisa Clodoveo
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Maria Felicia Faienza
- Paediatric Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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23
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Mercurio A, Sharples L, Corbo F, Franchini C, Vacca A, Catalano A, Carocci A, Kamm RD, Pavesi A, Adriani G. Phthalimide Derivative Shows Anti-angiogenic Activity in a 3D Microfluidic Model and No Teratogenicity in Zebrafish Embryos. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:349. [PMID: 31057399 PMCID: PMC6479179 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a crucial event for tumor progression and metastasis. It is the process through which new blood vessels are formed and has become a therapeutic target in many cancer therapies. However, current anti-angiogenic drugs such as Thalidomide still have detrimental teratogenic effects. This property could be caused by the presence of chiral carbons, intrinsic to such compounds. We synthesized four different phthalimide derivatives that lack chiral carbons in their chemical structure. We hypothesized that these achiral carbon compounds would retain similar levels of anti-angiogenic activity whilst reducing teratogenic effects. We tested for their anti-angiogenic functions using an in vitro 3D microfluidic assay with human endothelial cells. All four compounds caused a drastic inhibition of angiogenesis at lower effective concentrations compared to Thalidomide. Quantification of the blood vessel sprouting in each condition allowed us to classify compounds depending on their anti-angiogenic capabilities. The most effective identified compound (C4), was tested in vivo on a zebrafish embryo model. Blood vessel development was measured using number and lengths of the stalks visible in the fli1a:EGFP transgenic line. Potential teratogenic effects of C4 were monitored over zebrafish embryonic development. The in vivo results confirmed the increased potency of C4 compared to Thalidomide demonstrated by results in embryos exposed to concentrations as low as 0.02 μM. The teratogenic analysis further validated the advantages of using C4 over Thalidomide in zebrafish embryos. This study highlights how the use of in vitro 3D model can allow rapid screening and selection of new and safer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Mercurio
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
- BioSystems and Micromechanics IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lucy Sharples
- Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Filomena Corbo
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Franchini
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Angelo Vacca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Roger D Kamm
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Andrea Pavesi
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Giulia Adriani
- BioSystems and Micromechanics IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
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Fazio A, Iacopetta D, La Torre C, Ceramella J, Muià N, Catalano A, Carocci A, Sinicropi MS. Finding solutions for agricultural wastes: antioxidant and antitumor properties of pomegranate Akko peel extracts and β-glucan recovery. Food Funct 2019; 9:6618-6631. [PMID: 30511058 DOI: 10.1039/c8fo01394b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pomegranate peels are the major by-products of the processing of pomegranate juice. Scientific research studies have shown that pomegranate peels are an extraordinary source of bioactive compounds, most of which can be converted into value added products. From this point of view, the present study was carried out with the aim of providing a solid basis for the use of whole pomegranate peels (Akko variety) as a source of nutraceutical compounds, such as β-glucans. Moreover, acetone (S1) and methanolic (S2) extracts, obtained in the preliminary stage of the β-glucan isolation procedure, have been tested for their antioxidant and antitumor activities. The total phenolic content and phenolic profile of S1 and S2 were determined. S1 and S2 exhibited a significant DPPH scavenging activity, with an IC50 value for S1 1.5-fold lower than that for the standard Trolox. Both S1 and S2 extracts possess in vitro ROS scavenging activity toward 3T3-L1 murine fibroblasts and Hek-293 human embryonic kidney epithelial cells and antiproliferative activity towards human breast MCF-7 and uterine HeLa cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Fazio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy.
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25
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Trapani A, Catalano A, Carocci A, Carrieri A, Mercurio A, Rosato A, Mandracchia D, Tripodo G, Schiavone BIP, Franchini C, Mesto E, Schingaro E, Corbo F. Effect of Methyl-β-Cyclodextrin on the antimicrobial activity of a new series of poorly water-soluble benzothiazoles. Carbohydr Polym 2018; 207:720-728. [PMID: 30600058 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The antibacterial activity of the S-unsubstituted- and S-benzyl-substituted-2-mercapto-benzothiazoles 1-4 has been evaluated after complexation with Methyl-β-Cyclodextrin (Me-β-CD) or incorporation in solid dispersions based on Pluronic® F-127 and compared with that of the pure compounds. This with the aim to gain further insights on the possible mechanism(s) involved in the CD-mediated enhancement of antimicrobial effectiveness, a promising methodology to overcome the microbial resistance issue. Together with Differential Scanning Calorimetry, FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray Powder Diffraction investigations, a molecular modeling study focused on compounds 2 and 4 showed that the S-unsubstituted compound 2/Me-β-CD complex should be more stable than S-benzyl-substituted 4/Me-β-CD. Only for 1/Me-β-CD or, particularly, 2/Me-β-CD complexes, the antibacterial effectiveness was enhanced in the presence of selected bacterial strains. The results herein presented support the mechanisms focusing on the interactions of the bacterial membrane with CD complexes more than those focusing on the improvement of dissolution properties consequent to CD complexation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Trapani
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona, 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona, 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona, 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Carrieri
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona, 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Annalisa Mercurio
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona, 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona, 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Delia Mandracchia
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona, 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tripodo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Pavia, viale Taramelli, 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Brigida Immacolata Pia Schiavone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona, 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Franchini
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona, 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Ernesto Mesto
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona, 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Emanuela Schingaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona, 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Filomena Corbo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona, 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy.
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26
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Rosato A, Carocci A, Catalano A, Clodoveo ML, Franchini C, Corbo F, Carbonara GG, Carrieri A, Fracchiolla G. Elucidation of the synergistic action of Mentha Piperita essential oil with common antimicrobials. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200902. [PMID: 30067803 PMCID: PMC6070247 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mentha piperita L. essential oil (EO) is employed for external use as antipruritic, astringent, rubefacient and antiseptic. Several studies demonstrated its significant antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. The aim of this work is the study of the synergistic effects of M. piperita EO with antibacterials and antifungals that are widely available and currently prescribed in therapies against infections. The observed strong synergy may constitute a potential new approach to counter the increasing phenomenon of multidrug resistant bacteria and fungi. In vitro efficacy of the association M. piperita EO/drugs was evaluated against a large panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeast strains. The antimicrobial effects were studied by checkerboard microdilution method. The synergistic effect of M. piperita EO with gentamicin resulted in a strong growth inhibition for all the bacterial species under study. The synergistic effect observed for M. piperita EO and antifungals was less pronounced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Rosato
- Department of Pharmacy–Drug Sciences, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy–Drug Sciences, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy–Drug Sciences, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Lisa Clodoveo
- Department of Agro-Environmental and Territorial Sciences, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Franchini
- Department of Pharmacy–Drug Sciences, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Filomena Corbo
- Department of Pharmacy–Drug Sciences, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Carrieri
- Department of Pharmacy–Drug Sciences, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fracchiolla
- Department of Pharmacy–Drug Sciences, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Carocci A, Corbo F, Lentini G, Cavalluzzi MM, Franchini C, Catalano A. A Focus on the Synthesis and Pharmacokinetics of Tocainide and its Analogues. Curr Med Chem 2018; 25:5822-5834. [PMID: 29589531 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180327104320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Tocainide is an antiarrhythmic agent belonging to class IB that was primarily used for suppression of symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias. Tocainide was also reported to relieve pain such as tic douloureux, trigemina neuralgia in humans and tinnitus. Significant antinociception, as assayed on the hot-plate test, was observed after intraperitoneal injection of tocainide, too. By the mid-1980s tocainide was emerging as a more consistently effective treatment for myotonic disorders. Numerous reports of serious adverse reactions led to the use of tocainide being discontinued, even though research on tocainide and its analogues, endowed with a better pharmacological profile, is still in progress for their potential usefulness in the treatment of myotonias. This review is focused on the description of the different synthetic routes to racemic and optically active tocainide developed in the last decades, as well as analytical studies regarding enantioseparation methods. Finally, some analogues of tocainide reported in the literature, most of which with pharmacological studies, have been mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Filomena Corbo
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lentini
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Franchini
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
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28
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De Bellis M, Sanarica F, Carocci A, Lentini G, Pierno S, Conte Camerino D, De Luca A. Pyrroline Derivatives of Mexiletine-Like Compounds Have Dual Activity as Use-Dependent Sodium Channel Blockers and Antioxidant. Biophys J 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2017.11.3428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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29
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De Bellis M, Sanarica F, Carocci A, Lentini G, Pierno S, Rolland JF, Conte Camerino D, De Luca A. Dual Action of Mexiletine and Its Pyrroline Derivatives as Skeletal Muscle Sodium Channel Blockers and Anti-oxidant Compounds: Toward Novel Therapeutic Potential. Front Pharmacol 2018; 8:907. [PMID: 29379434 PMCID: PMC5770958 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mexiletine (Mex) has been recently appointed as an orphan-drug in myotonic-syndromes, being a potent use-dependent blocker of skeletal-muscle sodium channels (NaV1.4). Available evidences about a potential anti-oxidant effect of Mex and its tetramethyl-pyrroline-derivatives in vivo, suggest the possibility to further enlarge the therapeutic potential of Mex-like compounds in myopathies in which alteration of excitation-contraction coupling is paralleled by oxidative stress. In line with this and based on our previous structure-activity-relationship studies, we synthesized new compounds with a tetramethyl-pyrroline-ring on the amino-group of both Mex (VM11) and of its potent use-dependent isopropyl-derivative (CI16). The compounds were tested for their ability to block native NaV1.4 and to exert cyto-protective effects against oxidative-stress injury in myoblasts. Voltage-clamp-recordings on adult myofibers were performed to assess the tonic and use-dependent block of peak sodium-currents (INa) by VM11 and CI16, as well as Mex, VM11 and CI16 were 3 and 6-fold more potent than Mex in producing a tonic-block of peak sodium-currents (INa), respectively. Interestingly, CI16 showed a 40-fold increase of potency with respect to Mex during high-frequency stimulation (10-Hz), resulting the strongest use-dependent Mex-like compound so far. The derivatives also behaved as inactivated channel blockers, however the voltage dependent block was modest. The experimental data fitted with the molecular-modeling simulation based on previously proposed interaction of main pharmacophores with NaV1.4 binding-site. CI16 and VM11 were then compared to Mex and its isopropyl derivative (Me5) for the ability to protect C2C12-cells from H2O2-cytotoxicity in the concentration range effective on Nav1.4. Mex and Me5 showed a moderate cyto-protective effect in the presence of H2O2, Importantly, CI16 and VM11 showed a remarkable cyto-protection at concentrations effective for use-dependent block of NaV1.4. This effect was comparable to that of selected anti-oxidant drugs proved to exert protective effect in preclinical models of progressive myopathies such as muscular dystrophies. Then, the tetramethyl-pyrroline compounds have increased therapeutic profile as sodium channel blockers and an interesting cyto-protective activity. The overall profile enlarges therapeutic potential from channelopathies to myopathies in which alteration of excitation-contraction coupling is paralleled by oxidative-stress, i.e., muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela De Bellis
- Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Sanarica
- Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Unit of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lentini
- Unit of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Sabata Pierno
- Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Diana Conte Camerino
- Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Annamaria De Luca
- Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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Mercurio A, Adriani G, Catalano A, Carocci A, Rao L, Lentini G, Cavalluzzi MM, Franchini C, Vacca A, Corbo F. A Mini-Review on Thalidomide: Chemistry, Mechanisms of Action, Therapeutic Potential and Anti-Angiogenic Properties in Multiple Myeloma. Curr Med Chem 2017; 24:2736-2744. [PMID: 28571559 DOI: 10.2174/0929867324666170601074646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Thalidomide is a drug with interesting therapeutic properties but also with severe side effects which require a careful and monitored use. Potential immunomodulatory, antiinflammatory, anti-angiogenic and sedative properties make thalidomide a good candidate for the treatment of several diseases such as multiple myeloma. Through an increase in the degradation of TNFα-mRNA, thalidomide reduces the production of TNFα by monocytes and macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide or by T lymphocytes induced by mitogenic stimuli. The decreased level of TNFα alters the mechanisms of intracellular transduction by preventing the activation of NF-kB and by decreasing the synthesis of proteins, in particular IL-6, involved in cell proliferation, inflammation, angiogenesis and protection from apoptosis. Furthermore, thalidomide affects VEGF levels by down-regulating its expression. Nowadays, new safer and less toxic drugs, analogs of thalidomide, are emerging as beneficial for a more targeted treatment of multiple myeloma and several other diseases such as Crohn';s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, erythema nodosum leprosum, graft-versus-host disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Mercurio
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "A. Moro", Bari. Italy
| | - Giulia Adriani
- BioSystems and Micromechanics IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology. Singapore
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "A. Moro", Bari. Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "A. Moro", Bari. Italy
| | - Luigia Rao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari. Italy
| | - Giovanni Lentini
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "A. Moro", Bari. Italy
| | - Maria M Cavalluzzi
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "A. Moro", Bari. Italy
| | - Carlo Franchini
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "A. Moro", Bari. Italy
| | - Angelo Vacca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari. Italy
| | - Filomena Corbo
- Department of Pharmacy- Drug Sciences, University of Bari "A. Moro", Bari. Italy
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Genchi G, Sinicropi MS, Carocci A, Lauria G, Catalano A. Response to Comment on Giuseppe Genchi et al. Mercury Exposure and Heart Diseases. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14, 74. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2017; 14:ijerph14070761. [PMID: 28704939 PMCID: PMC5551199 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14070761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Revised: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Genchi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy.
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy.
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "A. Moro", 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Graziantonio Lauria
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy.
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "A. Moro", 70125 Bari, Italy.
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Iacopetta D, Carocci A, Sinicropi MS, Catalano A, Lentini G, Ceramella J, Curcio R, Caroleo MC. Old Drug Scaffold, New Activity: Thalidomide-Correlated Compounds Exert Different Effects on Breast Cancer Cell Growth and Progression. ChemMedChem 2017; 12:381-389. [PMID: 28099781 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201600629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Thalidomide was first used for relief of morning sickness in pregnant women and then withdrawn from the market because of its dramatic effects on normal fetal development. Over the last decades, it has been used successfully for the treatment of several pathologies, including cancer. Many analogues with improved activity have been synthesized and tested. Herein we report some effects on the growth and progression of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells by a small series of thalidomide-correlated compounds, which are very effective at inducing cancer cell death by triggering TNFα-mediated apoptosis. The most active compounds are able to drastically reduce the migration of breast cancer cells by regulation of the two major proteins involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT): vimentin and E-cadherin. Moreover, these compounds diminish the intracellular biosynthesis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is primarily involved in the promotion of angiogenesis, sustaining tumor progression. The multiple features of these compounds that act on various key points of the tumorigenesis process make them good candidates for preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Iacopetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lentini
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Jessica Ceramella
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Rosita Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Caroleo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
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Genchi G, Sinicropi MS, Carocci A, Lauria G, Catalano A. Mercury Exposure and Heart Diseases. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2017; 14:ijerph14010074. [PMID: 28085104 PMCID: PMC5295325 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14010074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contamination has exposed humans to various metal agents, including mercury. It has been determined that mercury is not only harmful to the health of vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children, but is also toxic to ordinary adults in various ways. For many years, mercury was used in a wide variety of human activities. Nowadays, the exposure to this metal from both natural and artificial sources is significantly increasing. Recent studies suggest that chronic exposure, even to low concentration levels of mercury, can cause cardiovascular, reproductive, and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and carcinogenicity. Possible biological effects of mercury, including the relationship between mercury toxicity and diseases of the cardiovascular system, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, and myocardial infarction, are being studied. As heart rhythm and function are under autonomic nervous system control, it has been hypothesized that the neurotoxic effects of mercury might also impact cardiac autonomic function. Mercury exposure could have a long-lasting effect on cardiac parasympathetic activity and some evidence has shown that mercury exposure might affect heart rate variability, particularly early exposures in children. The mechanism by which mercury produces toxic effects on the cardiovascular system is not fully elucidated, but this mechanism is believed to involve an increase in oxidative stress. The exposure to mercury increases the production of free radicals, potentially because of the role of mercury in the Fenton reaction and a reduction in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase. In this review we report an overview on the toxicity of mercury and focus our attention on the toxic effects on the cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Genchi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy.
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy.
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "A. Moro", 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Graziantonio Lauria
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy.
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "A. Moro", 70125 Bari, Italy.
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Catalano A, Carocci A. Antiarrhythmic Mexiletine: A Review on Synthetic Routes to Racemic and Homochiral Mexiletine and its Enantioseparation. Curr Med Chem 2016; 23:3227-3244. [PMID: 27183983 DOI: 10.2174/0929867323666160517120234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Catalano A, Luciani R, Carocci A, Cortesi D, Pozzi C, Borsari C, Ferrari S, Mangani S. X-ray crystal structures of Enterococcus faecalis thymidylate synthase with folate binding site inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 123:649-664. [PMID: 27517810 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.07.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Infections caused by Enterococcus faecalis (Ef) represent nowadays a relevant health problem. We selected Thymidylate synthase (TS) from this organism as a potential specific target for antibacterial therapy. We have previously demonstrated that species-specific inhibition of the protein can be achieved despite the relatively high structural similarity among bacterial TSs and human TS. We had previously obtained the EfTS crystal structure of the protein in complex with the metabolite 5-formyl-tetrahydrofolate (5-FTHF) suggesting the protein role as metabolite reservoir; however, protein-inhibitors complexes were still missing. In the present work we identified some inhibitors bearing the phthalimidic core from our in-house library and we performed crystallographic screening towards EfTS. We obtained two X-ray crystallographic structures: the first with a weak phthalimidic inhibitor bound in one subunit and 5-hydroxymethylene-6-hydrofolic acid (5-HMHF) in the other subunit; a second X-ray structure complex with methotrexate. The structural information achieved confirm the role of EfTS as an enzyme involved in the folate pool system and provide a structural basis for structure-based drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Catalano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Rosaria Luciani
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Debora Cortesi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Pozzi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Borsari
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Stefania Ferrari
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy.
| | - Stefano Mangani
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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Abstract
Mexiletine belongs to class IB antiarrhythmic drugs and it is still considered a drug of choice for treating myotonias. However some patients do not respond to mexiletine or have significant side effects limiting its use; thus, alternatives to this drug should be envisaged. Mexiletine is extensive metabolized in humans via phase I and phase II reactions. Only a small fraction (about 10%) of the dose of mexiletine administered is recovered without modifications in urine. Although in the past decades Mex metabolites were reported to be devoid of biological activity, recent studies seem to deny this assertion. Actually, several hydroxylated metabolites showed pharmacological activity similar to that of Mex, thus contributing to its clinical profile. Purpose of this review is to summarize all the studies proposed till now about mexiletine metabolites, regarding structureactivity relationship studies as well as synthetic strategies. Biological and analytical studies will be also reported.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy- Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy.
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Abstract
Environmental and occupational exposure to a large number of chemicals occurs at various stages throughout human life. Many of these are devoid of toxicity, but some could pose a significant health risk, i.e. the exposure to environmental xenobiotic metals as lead, mercury (Sinicropi et al. 2010a; Carocci et al. 2014), cadmium, etc. In particular, lead has long been a widespread public concern (Basha and Reddy 2010). Lead is one of the earliest heavy metals discovered by men. Due to its unique properties, as low melting point, softness, malleability, ductility, and resistance to corrosion, men have used lead for the last 5000 years in a wide range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Carocci
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "A. Moro", 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "A. Moro", 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Graziantonio Lauria
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Genchi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy.
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Carocci A, Catalano A, Turi F, Lovece A, Cavalluzzi MM, Bruno C, Colabufo NA, Contino M, Perrone MG, Franchini C, Lentini G. Stereoselective Modulation of P-Glycoprotein by Chiral Small Molecules. ChemMedChem 2015; 11:93-101. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201500417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Carocci
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Francesco Turi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Angelo Lovece
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Maria M. Cavalluzzi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Claudio Bruno
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Nicola A. Colabufo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Marialessandra Contino
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Maria G. Perrone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Carlo Franchini
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Giovanni Lentini
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
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Carbonara R, Carocci A, Roussel J, Crescenzo G, Buonavoglia C, Franchini C, Lentini G, Camerino DC, Desaphy JF. Inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels by sumatriptan bioisosteres. Front Pharmacol 2015; 6:155. [PMID: 26257653 PMCID: PMC4513211 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels are known to play a pivotal role in perception and transmission of pain sensations. Gain-of-function mutations in the genes encoding the peripheral neuronal sodium channels, hNav1.7–1.9, cause human painful diseases. Thus while treatment of chronic pain remains an unmet clinical need, sodium channel blockers are considered as promising druggable targets. In a previous study, we evaluated the analgesic activity of sumatriptan, an agonist of serotonin 5HT1B/D receptors, and some new chiral bioisosteres, using the hot plate test in the mouse. Interestingly, we observed that the analgesic effectiveness was not necessarily correlated to serotonin agonism. In this study, we evaluated whether sumatriptan and its congeners may inhibit heterologously expressed hNav1.7 sodium channels using the patch-clamp method. We show that sumatriptan blocks hNav1.7 channels only at very high, supratherapeutic concentrations. In contrast, its three analogs, namely 20b, (R)-31b, and (S)-22b, exert a dose and use-dependent sodium channel block. At 0.1 and 10 Hz stimulation frequencies, the most potent compound, (S)-22b, was 4.4 and 1.7 fold more potent than the well-known sodium channel blocker mexiletine. The compound induces a negative shift of voltage dependence of fast inactivation, suggesting higher affinity to the inactivated channel. Accordingly, we show that (S)-22b likely binds the conserved local anesthetic receptor within voltage-gated sodium channels. Combining these results with the previous ones, we hypothesize that use-dependent sodium channel blockade contributes to the analgesic activity of (R)-31b and (S)-22b. These later compounds represent promising lead compounds for the development of efficient analgesics, the mechanism of action of which may include a dual action on sodium channels and 5HT1D receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Carbonara
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Section of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro Bari, Italy
| | - Julien Roussel
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Crescenzo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro Bari, Italy
| | - Canio Buonavoglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Franchini
- Section of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lentini
- Section of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro Bari, Italy
| | - Diana Conte Camerino
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro Bari, Italy
| | - Jean-François Desaphy
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro Bari, Italy
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Defrenza I, Catalano A, Carocci A, Carrieri A, Muraglia M, Rosato A, Corbo F, Franchini C. 1,3-Benzothiazoles as Antimicrobial Agents. J Heterocycl Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/jhet.2222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Defrenza
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari ‘Aldo Moro’; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari ‘Aldo Moro’; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari ‘Aldo Moro’; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Antonio Carrieri
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari ‘Aldo Moro’; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Marilena Muraglia
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari ‘Aldo Moro’; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari ‘Aldo Moro’; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Filomena Corbo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari ‘Aldo Moro’; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Carlo Franchini
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco; Università degli Studi di Bari ‘Aldo Moro’; via E. Orabona n. 4 70125 Bari Italy
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Abstract
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is widely known as "the darkness hormone". It is a major chronobiological regulator involved in circadian phasing and sleep-wake cycle in humans. Numerous other functions, including cyto/neuroprotection, immune modulation, and energy metabolism have been ascribed to melatonin. A variety of studies have revealed a role for melatonin and its receptors in different pathophysiological conditions. However, the suitability of melatonin as a drug is limited because of its short half-life, poor oral bioavailability, and ubiquitous action. Due to the therapeutic potential of melatonin in a wide variety of clinical conditions, the development of new agents able to interact selectively with melatonin receptors has become an area of great interest during the last decade. Therefore, the field of melatonergic receptor agonists comprises a great number of structurally different chemical entities, which range from indolic to nonindolic compounds. Melatonergic agonists are suitable for sleep disturbances, neuropsychiatric disorders related to circadian dysphasing, and metabolic diseases associated with insulin resistance. The results of preclinical studies on animal models show that melatonin receptor agonists can be considered promising agents for the treatment of central nervous system-related pathologies. An overview of recent advances in the field of investigational melatonergic drugs will be presented in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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Muraglia M, De Bellis M, Catalano A, Carocci A, Franchini C, Carrieri A, Fortugno C, Bertucci C, Desaphy JF, De Luca A, Conte Camerino D, Corbo F. N-aryl-2,6-dimethylbenzamides, a new generation of tocainide analogues as blockers of skeletal muscle voltage-gated sodium channels. J Med Chem 2014; 57:2589-600. [PMID: 24568674 DOI: 10.1021/jm401864b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
On the basis of a 3D-QSAR study, a new generation of tocainide analogues were designed and synthesized as voltage-gated skeletal muscle sodium channel blockers. Data obtained by screening new compounds by means of Hille-Campbell Vaseline gap voltage-clamp recordings showed that the elongation of the alkyl chain and the introduction of lipophilic and sterically hindered groups on the amino function enhance both potency and use-dependent block. The results provide additional indications about the structural requirement of pharmacophores for further increasing potency and state-dependent block and allowed us to identify a new tocainide analogue (6f) with a favorable pharmacodynamic profile to be proposed as a valid candidate for studies aimed at evaluating its usefulness in the treatment of myotonias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Muraglia
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, ‡Sezione di Farmacologia, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro" , via E. Orabona n. 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
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Abstract
Mercury is among the most toxic heavy metals and has no known physiological role in humans. Three forms of mercury exist: elemental, inorganic and organic. Mercury has been used by man since ancient times. Among the earliest were the Chinese and Romans, who employed cinnabar (mercury sulfide) as a red dye in ink (Clarkson et al. 2007). Mercury has also been used to purify gold and silver minerals by forming amalgams. This is a hazardous practice, but is still widespread in Brazil's Amazon basin, in Laos and in Venezuela, where tens of thousands of miners are engaged in local mining activities to find and purify gold or silver. Mercury compounds were long used to treat syphilis and the element is still used as an antiseptic,as a medicinal preservative and as a fungicide. Dental amalgams, which contain about 50% mercury, have been used to repair dental caries in the U.S. since 1856.Mercury still exists in many common household products around the world.Examples are: thermometers, barometers, batteries, and light bulbs (Swain et al.2007). In small amounts, some organo mercury-compounds (e.g., ethylmercury tiosalicylate(thimerosal) and phenylmercury nitrate) are used as preservatives in some medicines and vaccines (Ballet al. 2001).Each mercury form has its own toxicity profile. Exposure to Hg0 vapor and MeHg produce symptoms in CNS, whereas, the kidney is the target organ when exposures to the mono- and di-valent salts of mercury (Hg+ and Hg++, respectively)occur. Chronic exposure to inorganic mercury produces stomatitis, erethism and tremors. Chronic MeHg exposure induced symptoms similar to those observed in ALS, such as the early onset of hind limb weakness (Johnson and Atchison 2009).Among the organic mercury compounds, MeHg is the most biologically available and toxic (Scheuhammer et a!. 2007). MeHg is neurotoxic, reaching high levels of accumulation in the CNS; it can impair physiological function by disrupting endocrine glands (Tan et a!. 2009).The most important mechanism by which mercury causes toxicity appears to bemitochondrial damage via depletion of GSH (Nicole et a!. 1998), coupled with binding to thiol groups ( -SH), which generates free radicals. Mercury has a high affinity for thiol groups ( -SH) and seleno groups ( -SeH) that are present in amino acids as cysteine and N-acetyl cysteine, lipoic acid, proteins, and enzymes. N-acetylcysteine and cysteine are precursors for the biosynthesis of GSH, which is among the most powerful intracellular antioxidants available to protect against oxidative stress and inflammation.Mercury and methylmercury induce mitochondrial dysfunction, which reduces ATP synthesis and increases lipid, protein and DNA peroxidation. The content of metallothioneines, GSH, selenium and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids appear to be strongly related with degree of inorganic and organic mercury toxicity, and with the protective detoxifying mechanisms in humans. In conclusion, depletion of GSH,breakage of mitochondria, increased lipid peroxidation, and oxidation of proteins and DNA in the brain, induced by mercury and his salts, appear to be important factors in conditions such as ALS and AD (Bains and Shaw 1997; Nicole eta!. 1998;Spencer eta!. 1998; Alberti et a!. 1999).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Carocci
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "A. Moro", Bari, 70125, Italia
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Rosato A, Piarulli M, Schiavone BPI, Catalano A, Carocci A, Carrieri A, Carone A, Caggiano G, Franchini C, Corbo F, Montagna MT. In vitro effectiveness of Anidulafungin against Candida sp. biofilms. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2013; 66:701-4. [DOI: 10.1038/ja.2013.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Revised: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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De Bellis M, De Luca A, Desaphy JF, Carbonara R, Heiny JA, Kennedy A, Carocci A, Cavalluzzi MM, Lentini G, Franchini C, Camerino DC. Combined modifications of mexiletine pharmacophores for new lead blockers of Na(v)1.4 channels. Biophys J 2013; 104:344-54. [PMID: 23442856 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2012.11.3830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2012] [Revised: 11/16/2012] [Accepted: 11/21/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously identified potent and/or use-dependent mexiletine (Mex) analogs were used as template for the rational design of new Na(v)-channel blockers. The effects of the novel analogs were tested on sodium currents of native myofibers. Data and molecular modeling show that increasing basicity and optimal alkyl chain length enhance use-dependent block. This was demonstrated by replacing the amino group with a more basic guanidine one while maintaining a proper distance between positive charge and aromatic ring (Me13) or with homologs having the chirality center nearby the amino group or the aromatic ring. Accordingly, a phenyl group on the asymmetric center in the homologated alkyl chain (Me12), leads to a further increase of use-dependent behavior versus the phenyl Mex derivative Me4. A fluorine atom in paraposition and one ortho-methyl group on the xylyloxy ring (Me15) increase potency and stereoselectivity versus Me4. Charge delocalization and greater flexibility of Me15 may increase its affinity for Tyr residues influencing steric drug interaction with the primary Phe residue of the binding site. Me12 and Me15 show limited selectivity against Na(v)-isoforms, possibly due to the highly conserved binding site on Na(v). To our knowledge, the new compounds are the most potent Mex-like Na(v) blockers obtained to date and deserve further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela De Bellis
- Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Science, University of Bari, Aldo Moro, Italy
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46
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Bruno C, Cavalluzzi MM, Carocci A, Catalano A, Franchini C, Lentini G. Capillary zone electrophoresis for separation and quantitative determination of mexiletine and its main phase I metabolites. Drug Metab Lett 2013; 7:52-7. [PMID: 23826880 DOI: 10.2174/18723128112069990011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Revised: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The simultaneous separation and quantification of the analytes within the minimum analysis time and the maximum resolution and efficiency are the main objectives in the development of a capillary electrophoretic method for the determination of solutes. In this paper we describe a specific, sensitive and robust method, using capillary zone electrophoresis with internal standard and UV detection, for the separation and quantification of the anti-arrhythmic drug mexiletine, its main phase I metabolites, and its main nitrogenous degradation product.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Giovanni Lentini
- Dipartimento di Farmacia- Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy.
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Cavalluzzi MM, Viale M, Bruno C, Carocci A, Catalano A, Carrieri A, Franchini C, Lentini G. A convenient synthesis of lubeluzole and its enantiomer: evaluation as chemosensitizing agents on human ovarian adenocarcinoma and lung carcinoma cells. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2013; 23:4820-3. [PMID: 23886686 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2013.06.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Revised: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 06/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Lubeluzole, a neuroprotective anti-ischemic drug, and its enantiomer were prepared following a convenient procedure based on hydrolytic kinetic resolution. The ee values were >99% and 96%, respectively, as assessed by HPLC analysis. The chemosensitizing effects of both enantiomers were evaluated in combination with either doxorubicin (human ovarian adenocarcinoma A2780 cells) or paclitaxel (human lung carcinoma A549 cells) by the MTT assay. At the lowest concentrations used, lubeluzole showed an overall and remarkable tendency to synergize with both anticancer drugs. In ovarian cancer cells a clear prevalence of antagonistic effect was observed for the R-enantiomer. The synergistic effects of lubeluzole for both drugs were observed over a wide concentration window (0.005-5 μM), the lowest limit being at least 40 times lower than human plasma concentrations previously reported as causing serious side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Cavalluzzi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, via E Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
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Catalano A, Carocci A, Defrenza I, Muraglia M, Carrieri A, Van Bambeke F, Rosato A, Corbo F, Franchini C. 2-Aminobenzothiazole derivatives: search for new antifungal agents. Eur J Med Chem 2013; 64:357-64. [PMID: 23644218 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.03.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2012] [Revised: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
A new series of 6-substituted 2-aminobenzothiazole derivatives were synthesized and screened in vitro as potential antimicrobials. Almost all the compounds showed antifungal activity. In particular, compounds 1n,o, designed on the basis of molecular modeling studies, were the best of the series, showing MIC values of 4-8 μg/mL against Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis. None of the two compounds did show any cytotoxicity effect on human THP-1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Catalano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", via E. Orabona n. 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
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Carocci A, Catalano A, Bruno C, Lovece A, Roselli MG, Cavalluzzi MM, De Santis F, De Palma A, Rusciano MR, Illario M, Franchini C, Lentini G. N-(Phenoxyalkyl)amides as MT(1) and MT(2) ligands: antioxidant properties and inhibition of Ca(2+)/CaM-dependent kinase II. Bioorg Med Chem 2012; 21:847-51. [PMID: 23332368 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2012.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Revised: 12/12/2012] [Accepted: 12/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Recently a series of chiral N-(phenoxyalkyl)amides have been reported as potent MT(1) and MT(2) melatonergic ligands. Some of these compounds were selected and tested for their antioxidant properties by measuring their reducing effect against oxidation of 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCFH) in the DCFH-diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay. Among the tested compounds, N-[2-(3-methoxyphenoxy)propyl]butanamide displayed potent antioxidant activity that was stereoselective, the (R)-enantiomer performing as the eutomer. This compound displayed strong cytoprotective activity against H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity resulting slightly more active than melatonin, and performed as Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor, too.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Carocci
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
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Catalano A, Carocci A, Lentini G, Defrenza I, Bruno C, Franchini C. Stereospecific synthesis of m-Hydroxymexiletine enantiomers. Drug Metab Lett 2012; 6:182-186. [PMID: 23140556 DOI: 10.2174/1872312811206030005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Revised: 10/22/2012] [Accepted: 11/02/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
m-Hydroxymexiletine (MHM) is a metabolite of mexiletine, a well known class IB anti-arrhythmic drug, which presents almost twice the activity of the parent compound on cardiac voltage-gated sodium channels. Given the different activity of mexiletine enantiomers on sodium currents (being the R-isomer the eutomer), it is conceivable that (R)- and(S)-MHM could differ in pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, too. Herein we report the efficient synthesis of MHM enantiomers that could represent useful tools for further investigations on stereospecific requirements of the voltage-gated sodium channel binding site. MHM enantiomers and all the homochiral intermediates were fully characterized. The ee values for (R)- and (S)-MHM were >99%, as assessed by capillary electrophoresis using β-cyclodextrin sulfated sodium salt as a chiral selector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Catalano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia- Scienze del Farmaco, Universita degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy.
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